A busy weekend ahead for Munster Club Championship
A quick turnaround for the Waterford champions following the weekend’s county final heroics. Éire Óg won the double in Clare having also picked up hurling honours and their danger man Mark McInerney will need serious minding if Rathgormack are to progress. It’s a long trip to Clare but if the Comeragh side perform as they did last year versus Dr. Crokes’, they’ll be in the semi-finals. A tentative vote to the hosts, but Rathgormack won’t go down without a huge fight. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they can snatch a win.
Stradbally also face a lengthy trip to the Banner to take on Corofin. They’re no strangers to Munster but they’re definitely strangers to intermediate given their senior prowess down the years. They carry a real goal threat as seen in Waterford this year and can trouble the hosts no doubt. The hosts have been here before on many occasions and have a few Clare panellists to call upon. A tight affair that could go either way.
Shamrocks produced a gritty display to get past Dungarvan in the western final before a deserved win against Butlerstown in the county decider. They come up against a Buttevant team celebrating a first county success in 99 years. Neither side are footballing strongholds but with home advantage and a close cross-border rivalry potentially on the cards, the Knockanore men might do enough to march at the expense of their near neighbours.
De La Salle take on Tipperary opposition once again. Thurles Sarsfields were impressive in Tipperary but they do look somewhat shaky defensively shipping 4-10 last time out and trust Beth Carton, Abby Flynn and Maggie Gostl to capitalise. Caoimhe Stakelum and Karen Kennedy will need shackling, but this is the visitors’ first experience at this level and trust De La Salle’s experience to count for a lot.
